Elon Musk has become the largest known donor of the midterm election cycle. The world’s richest person is funding Republican efforts to hold the Senate.
Federal records show Musk has contributed $276 million to Republican campaigns and allied groups. The total marks one of the biggest individual donor sums in U.S. political history.
The money targets Senate races where Republican majorities face close challenges. Donations have gone to party committees, super PACs, and candidate funds.
Musk built his fortune through Tesla and SpaceX. His political spending has grown sharply since the last presidential election.
The donations fund advertising, voter outreach, and get-out-the-vote operations. These efforts aim to counter Democratic fundraising in key states.
Campaign finance watchdogs note the scale of the giving. Current law allows unlimited independent expenditures through super PACs.
Democrats have criticized the spending as an attempt to buy influence. Republicans say the donations support their policy agenda.
The final impact will depend on results in a handful of toss-up states. Those races will decide control of the Senate next year.
